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    • Homes

    Devnanda by Studio Infinity employs native crafts and influences

    JUL 14, 2020 | By Sakshi Rai
    Clad in concrete and greenery along with seating units fashioned with bricks, the forecourt is a welcoming spot; Photograph by Photographix 
    A strong wooden backdrop made by skilled craftspeople is complemented with splashes of earthy hued furnishings, inhouse plants and a Raza styled painting in the living room; Photograph by Atul Kanetkar
    The living room shares space with a modular kitchen by Meine Kuche on the left; Photograph by Photographix 
    Sliding doors adorned with Gond paintings by Casa Nir conceal the transitional seating corridor with cement floors; Photograph by Photographix 
    Gond artworks lie atop the wooden louvers and guide the way to the bedrooms; Photograph by Photographix 
    The "fantasy washroom" is fitted with luxurious amenities such as a hot tub and steam unit; Photograph by Atul Kanetkar
    The setting is decked with custom engraved cement tiles from Bharat Flooring and Tiles and sanitary fittings and fixtures from Jaquar - Artize; Photograph by Atul Kanetkar

    Having worked previously with the homeowners on several projects, architects Tushar Kothawade and Chiranjivi Lunkad of Studio Infinity knew exactly the kind of home to mould for them—one that was open to nature and culture alike.

    After visiting a couple of sites in Pune, the creatives set their heart on a 4,200 sq ft plot set in a residential neighbourhood, overlooking a towering gulmohar tree from one of its facades. Spruced with custom curated spaces and bespoke furniture that complement the family’s lifestyle, the apartment steps away from cramped interiors to house an airy, personalised cove.

    As per the client’s brief, two floors of the triple storeyed building are set aside as office zones, while the 1,700 sq ft residence occupies the top level. A common staircase lobby positioned in the spatial centre of the layout connects all the levels.

    The triple storeyed facade composed of exposed bricks; Photograph by Atul Kanetkar

    The home, christened Devnanda, is conceptualised to accommodate a large showcase of crafts. Purveyors of traditional textiles and artisanal work, the home lies spruced with custom crafted fabrics, Gond artworks from Casa Nir, and intricate carvings and detailings done by local artisans across screens, facades, flooring and customised furniture.

    Seen along the facade is a sleek, cantilevered ferrocrete staircase; Photograph by Photographix 

    The first part of the home that meets one’s gaze is the shadow cast, light court with an overhead pergola. Covered in playful and varying patterns through the course of the day, this quaint setting stays flooded with natural light and acts as the heart of the house. 

    The light court is decorated with Dash-Dot cement tiles by Bharat Flooring and Tiles, an urali filled with flowers and a bespoke, locally handmade basalt stone Tulsi Vrindavan; Photograph by Atul Kanetkar

    It is defined by a handcrafted basalt stone Tulsi Vrindawan, an urali (stone bowl) and patterned tiles from Bharat Flooring and Tiles. Nearby a more contemporary worship arena is fashioned to house larger gatherings and more elaborate festivities during prayers, rituals and auspicious occasions.

    Vaulted ferrocement arches mark the roof of the dining area characterised by yellow Kota stone flooring and wooden furniture as daylight pours in through the eastern screen. A Fabindia table runner and traditional metallic utensils are seen laid on the table; Photograph by Photographix 

    The charming abode features a number of textures that enhance not just aesthetics but also its tactile and sensorial offering. We see glimpses of an earthy material palette with exposed brick work, Kota stone floors, cement tiles, wooden furniture and concrete finished walls. In soothing hues of grey and red, along with accessible green vistas from both within and around the house, the property’s colours match its purpose.

    This centrally located puja unit is a contemporary take on a traditional ‘devghar’ and features a bespoke, Corten steel tree as a backdrop, a copper urali and wooden unit console; Photograph by Atul Kanetkar

    Following a simple bifurcation, the eastern side of the home contains common areas such as the living, kitchen and dining zones while the two bedrooms and guest room lie on the western end. The former is fitted with a series of ferro-cement vaults with increased heights to enable a free passage of dialogue. The bedrooms, on the other hand, surround a transitional lobby which also serves as a cosy seating spot. This zone lies flanked by movable, wooden louvers that facilitate cross ventilation and provide a visual connectivity across the space.

    Dash-Dot cement tiles by Bharat Flooring and Tiles adorn the central corridor that is flanked with wooden louvres, a copper overhead lamp by Orange Tree and a stylish pair of accent chairs; Photograph by Atul Kanetkar

    Large sliding doors give way to the guest room and allow it to merge with the common seating area and become a family lounge when required. The two main bedrooms see a certain level of uniformity apart from their strikingly varied colours with seemingly similar layouts, sizes and interiors. Sticking to the overall design vocabulary, these too don wood and exposed brick work, in sync with both the interior and exterior premises.

    Scroll below to see more images of this home…

    Vibrantly speckled Gond artwork by Casa Nir as seen on the sliding doors of the family lounge; Photograph by Atul Kanetkar

     

    One of the bedrooms sees a dash of bright blue behind a local handmade brass light and furnishings by Casa Nir; Photograph by Photographix 

     

    A window niche in the fantasy washroom displays exquisite in situ ‘kavdi’ work; Photograph by Atul Kanetkar

     

    The master bedroom is spruced with a concrete finish drop light by Ashva and furnishings by Casa Nir; Photograph by Photographix